Working Out

[GayJB21]

Hi,

According to my fellow gym junkies you're supposed to workout with weights before you start doing any cardio due to the fact that you burn your energy stores first and then fat. Therefore, you should have more energy whilst doing weights and then burn any excess fat or whatever by doing cardio.

Hope this is somewhat helpful.....it may also be that you just need to try and focus on something that doesn't stress you out...do you listen to music whilst at the gym?

I personally don't think you lack intensity, but perhaps its the motivation that you need more....perhaps you should try going with a buddy...this help with motivation and they push you without the necessity of a personal trainer...plus intensity comes after a while...you don't just walk in and have it lol

hope this helps

 

[justsimon]

It sounds like you might be choosing weights that are too heavy for you.

 

[codeerror]

It sounds like you might be choosing weights that are too heavy for you.

This was my first thought too, but since this is happening every time you're in the gym you've probably tried using lighter weights.
Warming up is never wrong, so you shouldn't stop running/rowing before working out.

I'm leaning towards a diet issue here, do you eat enough before hitting the gym?
I know by own experience that when I've eaten poorly or not at all, I get tired really fast.

Oh, and you should probably try to focus more when you're in the gym. Try to look at the muscles you are working out and think "Contract!". Leave your problems in the locker room, and you will find that you'll have more focus and energy to take care of them later.

 

[KaraBulut]

A few suggestions.

Split your workout days. Do intense cardio on different days from your weight training. On days that you weight train, do a more gentle warmup with stretching, walking and lower weights before going into your routine.

Plan out your weight session before you get to the gym. If needed, write it down and then focus on it just like you would a "To Do" list while you're at the gym.

Take a look at your diet. You may not be eating enough to keep your energy level up. You might also want to have a light snack before the gym and drink a supplement during your workout if you find that you tire easily.

Consider getting a workout partner who will kick your ass if you don't get with the program.

Since you probably want to cut back on comfort food and beer to trim up that tummy, set aside the heer money until you've saved up enough money for the trainer.

 

[AverageJoe]

1) Stretch
2) Weight Lifting
3) Situps/Pushups/etc
4) Cardio

3 & 4 burn energy stores and weaken your lifts. Do them last.

 

[CumAlong]

You need to eat plenty of carbs and protein before and after you workout. Without them, you won't be able to fuel your muscles to perform, and you won't be able to rebuild them after the workout, minimizing your muscle gains.

 

[tallguy297]

I just don't know what to do anymore. Whenever I go to the gym, I warm up by running a mile or so on the treadmill, just to get the heart going and then I head straight to the weights. However, after about 3 exercises, I'm practically spent. I look around me and everyone has so much intensity but I don't. I try my best to lift the weight, I breathe heavy, but it just won't go up sometimes. I don't see how I'm ever supposed to gain any muscle when I lack intensity. How in the world do you gain intensity?

I know it's probably all in my head but I just can't seem to figure it out. I also struggle because whenever I'm at the gym, I think about what I have to do after I leave the gym, which tends to take over my thoughts. All I want is to have some definition and get rid of my mild beer belly but nothing seems to be happening.

I'd love a trainer because they push me but alas, I cannot afford one.

Any tips?

If I read between the lines here, I'd guess that you might be also cutting back on your calorie intake... and there is lines a real issue in trying to get full benefit at the gym.

Theres 2 things to remember.

1. A gym session is about a number of things. Consistent effort regardless of it with heavy or light weights or even aerobic exercise.

2. You shouldnt be there any longer than about 45 minutes.

So... with those things in mind... assuming your diet and general health is okay, then if it means you only can fit 3 exercises in in that time, with say 3 sets of 10 each, then for the time being so be it.

Changing your body shape, becoming adapted to gym and exercise generally are processes, not instances. It takes weeks, for some people months, to adapt to regular solid physical exercise.

Results come from effort... and if you are committed in the time that you are at gym, if you are working hard, then what you do doesnt matter so much right now.

Give yourself time and patience to adapt and become hardened to the workload.

Then we can talk about what to achieve while you are there.